obituaries

Jan 25, 2026

Richard "Rick" Charles Domikaitis, age 61, of Hobart, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 25, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. He was born on September 28, 1964, in Oak Lawn, Illinois, to Thomas and Judith Domikaitis. On May 14, 1988, Rick married the love of his life, Kelly O'Donnell, in Chicago, and together they built a...

Jan 24, 2026

Richard Walter Rataschak, age 80, of Portage and formerly of Alsip, Illinois passed away Saturday January 24, 2026, at the Brickyard Nursing Center in Portage. He was born November 29, 1945, in Chicago, IL to the late Walter and Bernice (Rudow) Rataschak. Richard was employed in the shipping and receiving department of ACME Steel for thirty years before retirement....

Jan 21, 2026

Arbie Dewayne Taylor

Age 74, of Hobart, Indiana, passed away on January 21,2026. He was born on July 21, 1951, in Gary, Indiana to the late Oliver and Mary Taylor. He was a 1970 Merrillville High School graduate. Arbie dedicated many years of his working life as a custodian at Chesterton Junior High School, where he was...

Jan 20, 2026

Lori Ann (nee Wisneski) Wingard, age 63 of Portage passed away January 20, 2026, at home surrounded by her family. She was born on March 3, 1962, in Gary, Indiana to Mack and Mary Wisneski. She enjoyed gardening and baking. She was an avid animal lover and treated her dogs like her own children. Her greatest joy was spending...

Jan 19, 2026

Gene Alan Richmond, age 75 of Hobart passed away Monday, January 19, 2026. He was born on September 9, 1950, in Gary, Indiana to the late James and Edith Richmond. He was a 1968 graduate of Portage High School. He liked bowling, drag racing and spending time outdoors. Gene retired from Inland Steel where he worked as a boilermaker...

Jan 17, 2026

Mary R. Spurlock-Franczak, age 90, of Hobart passed away Saturday January 17, 2026, at Northwest Health Porter Hospital in Valparaiso. Mary was born December 6, 1935, in Barbourville, Kentucky to the late Robert and Florence (Dickerson) Earls. She was a homemaker, loving mother, grandmother, and wife. She loved taking care of her family and anyone in need.

...

Jan 16, 2026

Geraldine A. Nordyke, age 88, of Valparaiso passed away Friday January 16, 2026, at the St Mary Medical Center in Hobart. Geraldine was born April 24, 1937, in East Chicago, Indiana Sam and Mildred (Klemme) Fox. She enjoyed playing Bunko and dice with her friends. She loved watching Star Trek on TV. She was a homemaker, loving wife, mother,...

Jan 15, 2026

Terry Allen Churchill, age 75 of Westville passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2026. He was born on August 19, 1950, in St. Joseph, Michigan to the late Elwood and Donna Churchill.

He is survived by his daughter, Angelina (Theodore) Proctor, his sons, Randall Churchill, Daniel (Carrie) Churchill; 16 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; 1 great great granddaughter;...

Jan 14, 2026

Betty L. Coker, age 86, of Valparaiso, Indiana passed away Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on November 27, 1939, to the late Robert and Ethel (nee King) Surls in Elkhart, Indiana. On April 6, 1963, Betty married the love of her life Jerry Coker, and together they raised two...

Jan 14, 2026

John P. Reder "Jack", age 87, of Lake Station passed away Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Miller Merry Manor in Portage. John was born March 18, 1938, in Gary, Indiana to the late Howard and Evelyn (Warner) Reder. He retired from US Steel in 1993 with 34 years of service he also worked for Wiseway Foods and the NWI-Times...

Jan 13, 2026

Monica Wiley, age 90, a lifelong resident of Hobart, passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on May 21, 1935, in Hobart to Joseph and Helen (née Budzielek) Ksenak.

Monica began working at a young age at her father's grocery store on Wisconsin Street. Over the years, she held...

Jan 13, 2026

Thomas J. Spencer, age 67, of Valparaiso passed away Tuesday, January 13, 2026. He was born on November 24, 1958, in Valparaiso, Indiana to Randall and Betty Spencer. On October 5, 1985, he married Carla Waters at the First Christian Church of Valparaiso. Tom retired from Home Mountain Printing where he worked as a prepress technician. He was an...

Jan 13, 2026

Shirley J. Poteet

Age 84 of Lake Station, Indiana, formerly of Louisville, Kentucky passed away on January 13, 2026, at her daughter's home. She was born on November 21, 1941, in Louisville, Kentucky. Shirley spent 26 dedicated years working for Kroger Grocery Store, beginning her career as a cashier and later working in the deli, where she...

Jan 11, 2026

Frances Elizabeth Walden, age 92 of Portage passed away Sunday, January 11, 2026.  She was born on July 21, 1933 in Royston, Georgia to the late John and Ruby Marlow.  She retired from the Anderson Company.  Frances was a longtime member of the Hobart Assembly of God.

She is survived by two sons, Lewis "Ray" (the late...

Jan 10, 2026

Gloria A. Clark August 31, 1941 – January 10, 2026

Gloria A. Clark, 84, of Portage, Indiana, reluctantly passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2026. She was born August 31, 1941, in Gary, Indiana, to the late Edward and Julia (Benedict) Dawson.

Gloria entered the world kicking and screaming, and determined from the very beginning...

Jan 10, 2026

Marcia Louise Walsh, age 68 of Portage passed away Saturday, January 10, 2026.   She was a Portage resident for the past 7 years and was formerly of Westville and Michigan.  She was born on February 12, 1957, in Gary, Indiana to the late Harold and Mary Windsor.  Marcia loved crafting and arts.  She also loved animals especially elephants and...

Jan 9, 2026

Barbara Blink, age 76 of Valparaiso passed away Friday, January 9, 2026. She was born on July 9, 1949, in Rensselaer, Indiana to the late Chester and Geraldine Lock. On August 2, 1970, she married Gene Raymond Blink in Cedar Lake. Barbara was a very strong and fiercely independent woman. She worked in food service at the Portage Schools,...

Jan 7, 2026

William "Bill" K. Peksenak

Age 65, of Portage, Indiana passed away on January 7, 2026, He was born on September 14, 1960, in Gary, Indiana to Karen (nee Wheeler) Wilfong and the late Charles Peksenak. Bill worked as a construction worker for many years, where he was known for his strong work ethics and dedication. Bill enjoyed...

Jan 7, 2026

Forest Wayne Terry,

age 43, of Portage, Indiana passed away Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at his home with his family by his side. He was born August 8, 1982, in Valparaiso, Indiana to Matthew and Linda (Guimont) Terry. Forest was a beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend. Forest loved taking road trips to satisfy his...

Jan 7, 2026

Sandra K. Fussell Mar 26, 1948 - Jan 7, 2026

Sandra K. Fussell (nee Donelson), 77, of Hobart, Ind., passed away peacefully at home on January 7, 2026. Known as Motty by family and close friends, she was the wife of Grant Fussell, with whom she shared 47 years of devoted marriage.

Motty is survived...